Georgia native Ben Harbin joined The Southern Group’s Atlanta office in

2015 after completing a distinguished 20-year term as a state

representative. Serving the people of Columbia County in the 122nd

District in the State House for two decades has allowed Ben to develop

expertise in numerous policy areas, including appropriations, economic

and business development, education, environment and sustainability,

health care, insurance, local government, lottery, medical marijuana,

public and private partnerships, public safety, sports and entertainment,

and transportation.

During Ben’s legislative tenure, he served in key leadership positions. As

former chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Ben helped

balance Georgia’s budget during the worst financial downturn since the

Great Depression.

In addition, Ben served as vice-chair of the House Health Appropriations

Committee, chair of the Telecommunications Subcommittee of the

House Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications, and chair of the Sales

Tax Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee. Ben was

also a long-standing member of the House Intragovernmental

Coordination and House Insurance Committees. House Speaker David

Ralston appointed Ben to serve as co-chairman of the Georgia

Technology Oversight Committee.

Ben’s support for small business as a state representative was recognized

by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, which named him Legislator of

the Year in 2009, as well as by the National Coalition for Capital, who

presented him with a Champion of Small Business Award in 2011. Ben was

also a three-time recipient of the Association of County Commissioners’

Legislative Award. Ben’s focus on health care was recognized by the

Georgia Council on Aging, the Governor’s Council on Developmental

Disabilities, the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians, and the Georgia

Public Health Nurses. The Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals

named Ben Legislator of the Year in 2008. Ben serves on the Board of

Trustees for Doctors Hospital of Augusta, the Board of Directors of the

Civic Affairs Foundation of ACCG, the Columbia County Chamber of

Commerce, and as Secretary/Treasurer of the Georgia Music Foundation

Board of Directors.

A graduate of Georgia Military College, Ben received the Graduate of

Distinction Seal for his major in business administration. Ben also received

an MBA from Mercer University. Ben resides in Evans with his wife, Hope,

and their two children.

Ben Harbin

Atlanta, GA

harbin@thesoutherngroup.com

404.745.3031

Linkedin.com/benlharbin

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